Chitrakali Budhamagar began her career in 2003 collecting yarn made out of ‘allo’ (Himalayan nettle) and selling it in the Nepalese capital Kathmandu. With the money she made selling yarn, she bought readymade garments to sell in her home village of Pyuthan, in the western part of the country.

Born to a poor peasant family, Chitrakali had few other options. However, in 2005, opportunity knocked.

She enrolled in a three-month skills development training programme supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and other bilateral partners, and learned how to make a variety of allo products, including cloth materials, bags, tea coasters, mobile phone covers and wristbands.

“We micro-entrepreneurs need to expand our business,” Chitrakali said. “The women involved in this business should be trained in diversifying their products and enhancing their quality to survive in a competitive market.”